Flaming balls help boost wildfire containment to 75 percent

Even though its acreage peaked Tuesday at over 10,000 acres, officials express optimism that the Shenandoah's National Park's wildfire is ready to shrink. . Hawes Spencer has this report from the command center.

On the western slope of the Blue Ridge, the bingo hall in the Grottoes Fire Department is buzzing with activity with word that the fire is 75 percent contained.

"So right now, except for a few hot spots left over, we're happy."

That's John Bearer with the Southern Area Red Team who says a helicopter dropped the equivalent of flaming ping-pong balls on Sunday to create small, intentional fires.

"It was successful. It took a lot of fuel out of the fire."

While 22 miles of the Skyline Drive and 17.5 miles of the Appalachian Trail remain closed, Bearer predicts that the team of 354 firefighters will soon start shrinking.

For WCVE News, Hawes Spencer in Grottoes.

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